2014 was quite the year. I call it a building and renewal year adventure. Two of my books won awards.

James Saves the Moon won a Gold Medal Best Children’s Fantasy/SciFI from Readers Favorite. Helga Returns won a Best Children’s Book ages 9-12 from Turning the Pages Magazine. Traveled with double vision from Michigan to Orlando in April and received my award from Turning the Pages award ceremony. It was a lot of fun. Delighted to meet author Mcv Egan in person. We have been friends for years on facebook. My pal Stacey Rourke was there and many other authors.

While beginning the editing process of my 4th book Amongst the Clouds in February/March and Turning 50 I ended up in the hospital with two bleeding aneurisms. I lost six days, spent 4 nights and had surgery to stop the bleeding. I now have two platinum coils in my head. So I guess my head has gone platinum. LOL I was lucky walked out of the hospital. My recovery has been remarkable.

Amongst the Clouds released from Anchor Group Publishing in July. Fabulous fun adventure. Wonderful illustrations by Kelly Murray.

Growing up, we all had imaginary friends, but James’s pals are so awesome that one can easily believe they are real. It all begins with a beautiful and unusual cloud that seemed to be stuck in place. As James daydreams about its mysterious beauty, he is launched on an unexpected adventure in the company of his imaginary friends. As they try to discover the meaning of the cloud, they end up becoming key players in a battle in which rivals fight to take control. From flying on a blue dragon’s back to their eager search for a lost key that opens a spell book, James and his friends have a day packed with suspense and drama. However, they still manage to get him home by dinnertime so he can tell his family all about it. Amongst the Clouds by Wendy Nystrom is an awesome book that young and old will enjoy.

In Amongst the Clouds, author Wendy Nystrom does a brilliant job of describing how high a child’s imagination can actually fly. The main protagonist dozes off and ends up in the middle of a lucid dream that teaches him a number of valuable lessons about the importance of loyalty. The story is well written and contains a lot of characters with which kids can easily identify. At the same time, Wendy Nystrom shares a little bit of Icelandic culture with the reader, enablinghim or her to easily grasp the context of the adventure. The language is vibrant and appropriate for children, and the book includes many illustrations that add to the mental image so aptly formed by her words.

I was also able to finish my 5th Book Sleigh Ride in time for Christmas release. Another fun adventure: James and his pals help a polar bear and delivers Santa another sleigh since his was broken accidentally by his reindeer.

Blade Graphics designed this graphic in the fall. I just love this. I can have it placed on stuff, hats, mugs, cinch sacks, totes etc.

Authorpalooza event went well in November and will be organizing another one in June of 2015 at Big Rapids Community Library. Had a fabulous team to work with for this event. Spoke in a classroom where the kids were all excited about writing their own book. Spoke at a University Creative writing class. Then the year ended with having my first book James Saves the Moon is listed in a catalog at a new company Called Booksurf a home book shopping of signed books created by Stacey Rourke. Check out the website lots of books and more in the spring collection. www.booksurfllc.com

The holidays were spectacular. We drove to Arizona to spend with my wonderful in-laws. We stopped in NM to visit more relatives on the way had a blast. Then four corners and met the in-laws at the Grand Canyon. We explored for a couple of days. Then a wonderful Christmas at their winter home in Arizona. The family loved the trip.

I am very excited about 2015. Hoping my books get into the hands of many kids. My writing is coming back. I am working on my urban fantasy novel New Moon Brethren and 6th children’s book Magic Carousel. I joined the local writers group and enjoying those meetings. I have an event with three other authors at Biggby Coffee in February. Susan Stec, Jeni Decker and Becca Vincenza.

2015 is becoming a wonderful adventure. More adventures on the way I am sure.

Thanks for dropping in hope you enjoyed the adventure. Enjoy the adventure every day brings you, WB

I certainly hope most people are doing well. I am improving every day.

I am going to start with what is happening now then talk what has been going on in my life. First my PA Candice is going to be making some changes to the blog look. Always need to update things once in a while. I want to thank Candice Simpson for updating my social media for me.

Just click on cover for Amazon link Kindle is only 99 cents until April 21.

We have had wicked storms in my area which knocked our power for a while. We were lucky so far at my house. Many of my friends, neighbors are still without power and water since April 12th. Some other had trees or other objects damage their homes or property. And some are having flooding issues. Now we are getting cold again and may get a little snow.

I have another book releasing in May. Been through the editing phase just waiting on the last 6 or so illustrations. It is my best work. 4th in the James and Syvok Adventure. Most of my characters from previous books are involved and a new character has been introduced. What could possibly be inside an iridescent cloud. Lots of action and magic in this adventure.

Late February and March were troublesome for me. I turned 50 February 19th. I had a wonderful night out with friends then a couple of days later I became ill thinking I had the flu. Went to the ER thinking they would give me some fluids to get better but instead they put me on an ambulance and sent me down to a hospital in the big city an hour south of us. Two days later I had brain surgery. I had two bleeding aneurisms one on each side. I always have to be equal I guess. Now my brain has gone platinum. I have platinum coils that have stopped the bleeding. It will be 5 weeks since the surgery. I was lucky I was able to go home to recover. I still have double vision issues and my eyes are improving every day. I sometimes forget the words I was thinking when I was to speak. Otherwise I am walking now most days up to 3 blocks on Sunday. Yesterday when I woke up my vision was single vision for about 2 seconds. If I turn my head a little to the left I have single vision. So my left eye is slowly moving back in place. Neurologists said it should correct itself and recovery varies per individual. My last Cscan was good. The second group of words are just off a little nearly lined up as one. My novel has not been touched, writing has been challenge. Blaze has begun visiting me again in my dreams. She just brought me back home last night. She flew me to her and Carolyn’s mountain retreat. It was so wonderful to get some rest and have good company. We had lovely conversations, played cards, went out on the mountain lake behind the home, read, and relaxed in the interior hot spring pool. I got to know their brownies who are wonderful creatures who take care of the place. They became part of Carolyn’s family when she lived in Scotland. They are like sprites or nymphs who live in the woods and will take care of things you did not get done during the day if you treat them nice. So I should be back working on the New Moon

I am hoping to have my vision back or close to normal this week. Yep I wrote this seeing everything in double. Pretty good huh…….. LOL

I have been having quite the adventure these last two months. Thanks for Visiting Enjoy the Adventure! WB